I evaluated 60 different companies this week to determine whether they are suitable for Defensive Investors, those unwilling to do substantial research, or Enterprising Investors, those who are willing to do such research. I also put each company through the ModernGraham valuation model based on Benjamin Graham’s value investing formulas in order to determine an intrinsic value for each. Out of those 60 companies, only 21 were found to be undervalued or fairly valued and suitable for either Defensive or Enterprising Investors. Therefore, these 21 companies are the best undervalued stocks of the week.

The Elite

The following companies were found to be suitable for either the Defensive Investor or Enterprising Investor and undervalued:

American International Group Inc 

American International Group, Inc. (AIG) is an insurance company.

American International Group Inc is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the insufficient earnings stability or growth over the last ten years, and the poor dividend history. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $-56.58 in 2012 to an estimated $3.64 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 3.83% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.

At the time of valuation, further research into American International Group Inc revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $82.15. The company pays a dividend of $1.2 per share, for a yield of 2% Its PEmg (price over earnings per share – ModernGraham) was 16.16, which was below the industry average of 16.56, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry.  (See the full valuation)

Amgen Inc

Amgen Inc. (AMGN) is a biotechnology company.

Amgen, Inc. is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the poor dividend history, and the high PEmg and PB ratios. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $4.73 in 2012 to an estimated $8.41 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 5.92% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on the Benjamin Graham value investing formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.

At the time of valuation, further research into Amgen, Inc. revealed the company was trading above itsGraham Number of $96.05. The company pays a dividend of $3.58 per share, for a yield of 2.1%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share – ModernGraham) was 20.35, which was below the industry average of 38.69, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. Finally, the company was trading above its Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) of $-3.16.  (See the full valuation)

Comerica Inc

Comerica Incorporated (CMA) is a financial services company.

Comerica Incorporated is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the insufficient earnings stability over the last ten years. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $1.6 in 2012 to an estimated $2.64 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 4.41% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on Benjamin Graham’s formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.

At the time of valuation, further research into Comerica Incorporated revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $45.5. The company pays a dividend of $0.85 per share, for a yield of 1.9% Its PEmg (price over earnings per share – ModernGraham) was 17.33, which was above the industry average of 13.43.  (See the full valuation)

Equity Residential 

Equity Residential (EQR) is a real estate investment trust.

Equity Residential qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor. The Defensive Investor is only initially concerned with the low current ratio. The Enterprising Investor has concerns regarding the level of debt relative to the current assets. As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $2.15 in 2012 to an estimated $5.79 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 1.39% annual earnings growth over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on the Benjamin Graham value investing formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.

At the time of valuation, further research into Equity Residential revealed the company was trading below its Graham Number of $90.07. The company pays a dividend of $2.11 per share, for a yield of 3.2%, putting it among the best dividend paying stocks today. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share – ModernGraham) was 11.29, which was below the industry average of 34.03, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. Finally, the company was trading above its Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) of $-24.85.  (See the full valuation)

Fossil Group Inc 

Fossil Group, Inc. (FOSL) is a design, marketing and distribution company that specializes in consumer fashion accessories.

Fossil Group Inc is suitable for the Enterprising Investor but not the more conservative Defensive Investor. The Defensive Investor is concerned with the small size, poor dividend history. The Enterprising Investor is only concerned with the lack of dividends. As a result, all Enterprising Investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.

As for a valuation, the company appears to be Undervalued after growing its EPSmg (normalized earnings) from $4.26 in 2012 to an estimated $4.36 for 2016. This level of demonstrated earnings growth outpaces the market’s implied estimate of 0.81% annual earnings loss over the next 7-10 years. As a result, the ModernGraham valuation model, based on the Benjamin Graham value investing formula, returns an estimate of intrinsic value above the price.

At the time of valuation, further research into Fossil Group Inc revealed the company was trading above its Graham Number of $25.49. The company does not pay a dividend. Its PEmg (price over earnings per share – ModernGraham) was 6.88, which was below the industry average of 49.91, which by some methods of valuation makes it one of the most undervalued stocks in its industry. Finally, the company was trading above its Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) of $0.64.  (See the full valuation)

Franklin Resources Inc 

Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN), is a holding company.

Franklin Resources, Inc. qualifies for both the Defensive Investor and the Enterprising Investor. In fact, the company meets all of the requirements of both investor types, a rare accomplishment indicative of the company’s strong financial position. The Enterprising Investor has no initial concerns. As a result, all value investors following the ModernGraham approach should feel comfortable proceeding with the analysis.